BriefTea
Every story in sixty words
Get the free app no ads · no paywallExplained in plain English
Could humans live longer?
Scientists hope Jonathan the tortoise's DNA, with its youthful mitochondrial protection, could offer clues for human longevity. While the research is promising, the study's authors stress that the link between these genetic patterns and Jonathan's remarkable lifespan still needs further testing before any conclusions can be drawn for humans.
Stories that explain this
Secrets of a 194-Year-Old Tortoise's Long Life RevealedQuestions this opens up
How do human cells age? What is mitochondrial DNA? Could we edit human genes?Related explainers
Can we protect human mitochondria? What does DNA analysis show? What are mitochondria? How do mitochondria get damaged? How old is the oldest animal? How do tortoises defy ageing? How does exercise help you live longer? What about human doctors?The full catalogue
Browse every card filed under H →We would like to count visits and see which links bring readers here. That means storing a random ID in your browser. No cookies, no ads, no profile. How it works.